Webinar: What You Should Know About Bladder Cancer: Causes, Symptoms and Management
, Director of Urologic Oncology at NewYork-Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital and Assistant Professor in the Department of Urology at ´ºÃÎÖ±²¥.
OverviewÌý
The bladder is a hollow organ that stores urine before it is expelled from the body. Bladder cancer develops when abnormal cells grow and multiply uncontrollably in the lining of the bladder. In 2025, more than 2 million new cancer cases, including 85,000 bladder cancer cases, are projected to occur in the United States. However, the number of deaths has decreased dramatically since 1991 due to:Ìý
- a decline in smoking ratesÌý
- earlier detectionÌý
- improved treatment optionsÌý
Types of Bladder CancerÌý
Bladder cancer is broadly categorized into three main types:Ìý
Urothelial carcinoma
- accounts for approximately 90% of all bladder cancer cases
- originates in the transitional cells lining the bladder
- can also occur in the renal pelvis, ureters and urethra
AdenocarcinomaÌý
- a rare form of bladder cancer, representing about 1 percent of casesÌý
- typically associated with chronic inflammation or obstructionÌý
- often arises from bladder diverticula or areas of long-standing irritationÌý
Squamous cell carcinomaÌý
- also rare, accounting for about 1 to 2 percent of bladder cancersÌý
- risk factors include chronic inflammation, radiation therapy and bladder stones, often associated with infections such as schistosomiasis, which is prevalent in certain developing regionsÌý
Causes and Risk FactorsÌý
Several factors increase the risk of developing bladder cancer, including:Ìý
- smoking (the most significant risk factor)Ìý
- radiation therapy to the pelvisÌý
- cyclophosphamide, a chemotherapy drugÌý
- occupational exposures to chemicals, plastics, rubber, dyes or industrial compoundsÌý
- chronic bladder infections and parasitic infections (e.g., schistosomiasis)Ìý
Common SymptomsÌý
Bladder cancer often presents with a range of symptoms, including:Ìý
- blood in the urine (hematuria) – the most common and often the first noticeable signÌý
- frequent and urgent need to urinateÌý
- pain during urinationÌý
- pain in the lower abdomen or lower backÌý
Treatment ApproachesÌý
Bladder cancer is classified into two major categories, each requiring distinct treatment approaches:Ìý
Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC)Ìý
- affects only the inner lining of the bladderÌý
- typically treated with cystoscopy and transurethral resection (TURBT) to remove visible tumorsÌý
- Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy, an immunotherapy derived from a weakened form of the tuberculosis bacterium, can significantly reduce recurrence rates, benefiting 60 to 70 percent of patientsÌý
- intravesical chemotherapy may be required for those at higher risk of recurrence.Ìý
Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC)Ìý
- penetrates the muscle layer of the bladder wallÌý
- often requires more aggressive treatment, including radical cystectomy (bladder removal) and urinary diversion (ileal conduit, or neobladder created from intestinal tissue)Ìý
- other types of treatment for selected patients include trimodal therapy (combination of TURBT and chemoradiation therapy)Ìý
Advanced and Metastatic Bladder CancerÌý
Even in advanced stages, metastatic bladder cancer can be managed with a combination of chemotherapy, immunotherapy and, in some cases, targeted precision medicine, significantly extending patient survival and quality of life.Ìý
ConclusionÌý
Bladder cancer is a complex disease with a wide range of presentations and outcomes. Early detection, personalized treatment plans and ongoing advancements in therapy are critical in improving patient outcomes and survival rates.Ìý